Stormwater pollution fixes targeted

Martin B. Cassidy

Updated 10:45 pm, Monday, December 3, 2012

STAMFORD -- Testing of stormwater from drain pipes at Ayers and Toilsome brooks along the Mill River found bacteria levels in excess of federal standards for recreation, a possible indicator of illegal sewer connections or dumping in the watershed, Cindy Baumann, a CDM Smith senior project manager, told city officials Monday.

Baumann presented Mayor Michael Pavia and other officials an overview of the consulting group's draft of a comprehensive Basin Management Plan for the Rippowam and Mill rivers, outlining measures to cut pollution that originates elsewhere, such as fertilizer runoff, as well as taking other steps to improve water quality in streams feeding the rivers.

In addition to public education efforts to get residents to curb sources pollution, the plan recommends considering using street planters and porous pavement to slow fast-flowing stormwater runoff, thereby filtering contaminants and shoring up eroded riverbanks and establishing wooded buffers along the river to mitigate effects of denser development.

Porous pavements can be used for parking lots, light-use roadways, driveways and sidewalks in developed areas along the river, Baumann said.

Orgera said the report would aid the city's plan to tailor new ordinances addressing illegal sewer connections, including penalties for violators.

"This is a pretty exciting project," Orgera said. "It's extremely important to let our residents and commercial population know the expectations we have of them to maintain water quality."

After obtaining the conditional permit, the state will be asked to approve a five-year action plan for the city to tackle reducing non-point source pollution, including cracking down on illegal sewer connections and other sources of contamination such as grass clippings, fertilizer and motor oil.

Stamford is the first state municipality to pursue meeting more stringent pollution standards that were established by the DEEP to allow municipalities to work harder to detect illegal storm sewer connections and reduce overall contamination of rivers, Orgera said.

"This study shows us where we have outflows and where we might look for illicit connections," he said. "It's also public education and best management practices."

Baumann said CDM Smith is also preparing two mailings to be sent to city residents about what they can do to reduce storm water pollution and also participate in environmentally conscious yard care that will reduce pollutants.

These include reminders to use pesticide and fertilizers in recommended amounts, to recycle motor oil, compost yard waste, and to pick up after pets, Baumann said.

"People don't immediately think when you use fertilizer in excess that almost all of that ends up going into runoff," she said.